In the realm of speech-language pathology, practitioners are constantly seeking effective methods to enhance children's developmental outcomes. One innovative approach is integrating religious principles into educational frameworks, as highlighted in the research article "The effect of teaching religious principles on the infants’ growth and development" (Gilani et al., 2019). This blog delves into the key findings of this study and offers practical insights for practitioners at TinyEYE to consider.
Understanding the Research
The study conducted by Gilani et al. (2019) investigated the impact of teaching religious principles on infants' growth and development. The research involved 84 primiparous women divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group attended six 90-minute sessions of religious education during pregnancy, while the control group received routine pregnancy care. The outcomes were measured using physical growth indices and Denver's developmental questionnaire.
Key Findings
The research yielded several significant findings:
- Head Circumference at Birth: Infants in the intervention group had a significantly larger head circumference at birth compared to the control group (34.61 ± 1.51 vs. 32.97 ± 6.98).
- Developmental Skills: A significant relationship was observed between religious knowledge before delivery and infants’ development in gross motor skills, major motor skills, and language skills at 1 and 3 months of age.
- Anxiety Reduction: The study indicated a significant reduction in maternal anxiety levels in the intervention group, which could contribute to better developmental outcomes for infants.
Implications for Practitioners
For practitioners at TinyEYE, these findings offer valuable insights into enhancing developmental outcomes through religious education. Here are some practical steps to consider:
- Integrate Religious Education: Incorporate religious principles into therapy sessions where culturally appropriate. This can help foster a holistic development environment for children.
- Focus on Parental Involvement: Encourage parents to participate in religious education sessions, as parental knowledge and reduced anxiety levels can positively impact children's development.
- Measure Developmental Outcomes: Utilize tools like Denver's developmental questionnaire to monitor and assess the impact of religious education on children's developmental milestones.
Encouraging Further Research
While the findings are promising, it is essential to encourage further research to validate and expand upon these results. Practitioners should consider participating in or supporting studies that explore the long-term effects of religious education on child development.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The effect of teaching religious principles on the infants’ growth and development.
